Brush and mechanism for making same



Dec. 8, 1953 J. B. BENYAK 2,651,490

BRUSH AND MECHANISM FOR MAKING SAME Filed April 5, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. JQH/V B. BEA/YAK BY :2 0f g 5 QTTOR/VEY-S. i

Dec. 8, 1953. E YAK BRUSH AND MECHANISM FOR MAKING SAME Filed April 5, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I9 ll 5 I '7 5 6 .9 yc m my. J'c'gjZ 52 /5 3 5 /4 525 /5 INVENTOR. JOHN B. BEA/Y4K 62th fm'w zf A'FTGBNEY-S.

Patented Dec. 8, 1953 UNETED STATE OFFICE .iohn Bcnyak, Cleveland, Ohio, assignor to The Osborn Manufacturing Company, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application April 3, 1947, Serial No. 739,043

7 Elaims.

This invention relates as indicated to a novel brush and method of making same, and more particularly to an improved hand brush adapted for manufacture in large quantity and at low cost.

The usual high grade paint brush comprises a wooden handle portion secured in a ferrule within which is also secured a bundle of brush material, the ends of such brush material generally being bonded together within the ferrule by means of vulcanized rubber or the like. Quite a different type of inexpensive hand brush has been manufactured for such uses as applying grease, removing chips from machine tools, and many other like uses, such brush generally comprising a wire stem or handle portion and a loop through which brush material is doubled and held in place by a cap or hood forced down thereover. Brushes of this latter type are short-lived since the bristles or other brush material quickly work loose.

It is a primary object of my invention to provide a brush of the type in which brush material is thus doubled through a looped retaining member, which brush will have superior wearing qualities and may be of a form not only suitable for the purposes for which wire-handled brushes have previously been employed, such as chip removal, but may also be entirely satisfactory and even superior for use as paint brushes and the like where a higher standard of quality is generally required.

Another object of my invention is to provide a method of producing such brush which will be substantially automatic or semi-automatic in character, thereby greatly reducing the cost of producing the same.

A further object is to produce such brush in which the component parts thereof are positively locked together in a manner to prevent loosening thereof in use.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent as the following description proceeds.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, said invention, then, comprises the features hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims, the following description and the annexed drawings setting forth in detail certain illustrative embodiments of the invention, these being indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principle of the invention may be employed.

In said annexed drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of one form of my new brush;

Fig. 2 is an assembly view of such brush showing the manner in which the retaining sleeve is adapted to be slid down over the brush material;

Fig. 3 is a side or edgewise View of the brush of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 55 on Fig. 1 but prior to compressing the sleeve or ferrule;

Fig. 5 is a sectional View taken along line 55 on 1 showing the manner in which such ferrule is compressed and indented;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view along the line 58 on Fig. 1 through the dimple or indentation in the ferrule at this point;

Fig. '7 is a sectional view along the line 1-1 on Fig. 1 showing the manner in which this portion of the ferrule is compressed after such ferrule has been slid down into position about the brush material;

Fig. 8 is a right-hand end view of the ferrule prior to such deformation as viewed in Fig. 2;

Fig. 9 shows a modified form of retaining member in which the ends of the wire are adapted to be spot-welded together within the brush material retaining loop;

Fig. 10 shows a similar member in which, however, the ends of the wire are joined together at the extremity of the handle portion;

Figs. 11 and 12 show a retaining member of the same general type illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 but provided with a handle insert which may be of wood or plastic, for example;

Figs. 13 and 14 show two modified forms of handle and retaining members adapted to be stamped from sheet metal or molded in plastic;

Fig. 15 shows a handle and retaining member of the type illustrated in Fig. 14 but skeletonized for the securing thereto of complementary handle portions as shown in Figs. 16 and 17;

Fig. 18 is a top plan View of a mechanism adapted to the semi-automatic production of brushes of the type illustrated in Fig. 1, for example;

Fig. 19 is a vertical sectional View through such mechanism taken along the line l9l9 on Fig. 18;

Fig. 20 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a portion of the mechanism shown in Fig. 19 and illustrating a later stage in the brush assembly operation; and

Fig. 21 is an enlarged fragmentary view taken along the line 2l-2I on Fig. 20 illustrating the action of the cooperating dies in compressing the brush material retaining ferrule.

Referring now more particularly to such drawdoubled about such overlapping straight end portions 5 and E of the wire. Sleeve or ferrule "i is then slid down over handle portion I, as shown in Fig. 2, until it reaches the position as shown in Fig. 1.

Such ferrule l, which may for example be formed of light-gauge metal tubing is of general flattened conformation, as shown in Fig. 8, one end 8 thereof having been laterally deformed or stretched to form a constricted neck of suflicient width to slide over the wire retaining member but too narrow to pass the doubled brush material (see Fig. 4). The remainder of such sleeve is of a size just sumcient to encompass such doubled brush material.

When such sleeve has thus been slid in place the upper portion 9 thereof is compressed within loop 2 as best shown in Figs. 1 and '7, forming in effect a channelback in which the doubled brush material is seated and held by portions 5 and 6 of the wire loop. Such compressed portion 9, of i course, entirely prevents any further movement of the ferrule down over the brush material and likewise prevents movement of such ferrule in the opposite direction by engagement with the inwardly turned portions of loop 2. An additional :7

lesser indentation or dimple ill may desirably be formed in either side of such ferrule below the point where the the brush material is doubled about the retaining loop, such dimples serving still more tightly to secure the brush material about such retaining member as well as additionally insuring against movement of sleeve 1 towards neck 3 of the handle.

Referring now to Figs. 9-17 inclusive, the alternative forms of handles and retaining members there illustrated each aiford certain advantages in manufacture or use. In the form illustrated in Fig. 9, the handle and loop portions are of substantially the same configuration as that shown in Figs. 1 and 2 above described but instead of overlapping the end portions of the wire within the loop such ends are brought together at I l and may desirably be spot-welded to form a truly continuous loop.

In the form illustrated in Fig. 10, the two ends of the wire are brought together at the extremity [2 of the handle portion and are there spot- Welded. This form, of course, provides a perfectly continuous bristle-holding loop.

Figs. 11 and 12 show a handle and loop member of the type illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 but with a grooved handle it of wood or plastic, for example, snapped Within the circuit of wire handle portion i.

Fig. 13 shows a handle and retaining member of the same general shape as that of Fig. 9, for example, but adapted to be stamped from a flat sheet of metal or molded in plastic. Such form may thus provide a solid handle portion id and, of course, a continuous brush material retaining loop [5. As shown in Fig. 14 this stamped or molded member may desirably be formed with a loop it of generally rectangular shape so that when sleeve 1 is compressed within such loop at 3 such compressed portion may just engage the upper edge ll of such loop, positively locking the sleeve against all possibility of riding up on the handle.

When this member is stamped from sheet metal, as above explained, the handle portion thereof may desirably be skeletonized as shown in 15 to reduce weight and provided with rivet holes l8 and It for the attachment of complementary handle members 26 and 2! (see Figs. 16 and 1'7) held in place by rivets 22 and 23. Such complementary handle members may, for example, be formed of wood or plastic, or if the entire handle and retaining member is molded of plastic, as described with reference to Fig. 13 above, then such handle portion may be molded in the same general form illustrated in Fig. 17.

Referring now to Figs. 18-21 inclusive, a preferred method and mechanism for assembling the brush of this invention is as follows:

A bench or table 24 is provided with a platen 25 having a slot or opening 25 therein dimensioned to receive sleeve or ferrule l. Beneath such platen to either side of such slot 26 are respectively mounted fixed die member 2? and reciprocable die member 28 in a recess in the table. The continuation Ell of such slot through table .24 while wide enough to permit handle portion 5 to pass therethrough is too narrow to permit ferrule i to enter so that such ferrule will accordingly rest upon the table between the die members when it is dropped into slot 2 8.

Downwardly extending bracket 35 on table 24 is provided with a camway 32 adapted to be engaged by spring-backed plunger 33. of slide B l vertically reciprocable in slideway 35 of such bracket. Such plunger 33 is provided with a finger 38 adapted to protrude from the opposite side of slide 3 2. A vertically adjustable shelf or bracket Si is secured to slide as a short distance below finger 36. Slide 3 3 is adapted to be vertically reciprocated along slideway 35 by means of a hydraulic cylinder Another hydraulic cylinder 39 pivotally mounted at it is operative to reciprocate die member 28 through action on tog-. gle means -ll pivotally attached at 32 to bracket 33 on table The operation of the above described mechanism is as follows:

A sleeve 1 is first dropped in slot 26 with constricted portion 8 thereof lowermost. A handle and retaining member of the general form illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2' is then inserted through such sleeve with the end of the handle resting upon bracket 3?, such bracket being vertically adjusted to cause substantially all of loop portion 2 to extend above the level of platen 25. A tuft or bundle of brush material l is then inserted through such loop against adjustable stop 3 3. The components of the brush and the elements of the mechanism will then be in the positions as shown in Fig. 19. The operator now causes cylinder 38 to be actuated to draw slide 34 downwardly. As such slide moves downwardly plunger 33 is forced in by engagement with cam track 3 2, thereby causing finger 36 to be extended and engaged with the end of handle i (see Fig. 20). As slide 3t continues to move downwardly loop 2 is thereby drawn down into ferrule l and the brush material ii is doubled about the material retaining portion of such loop (see Fig. 4). t this point abutment 35 on slide 34 engages micro-switch 4t, stopping further movement of cylinder 32 and actuating cylinder 39 to reciprocate die member 28 through toggle means ti. Cooperating die members 21 and 28. thereby compressv ferrule. 1 to form compressed portion 9 and indentationsl'fl.

Continued movement of cylinder 39 and toggle 4i engages micro-switch 47 which operates first to reverse cylinder 39 to withdraw die 28 and then to reciprocate cylinder 38 partially ejecting the assembled brush which is removed by the opera tor. Another handle and retaining member is inserted in slot 25 and the operation repeated.

t will be apparent from the foregoing that various modifications and additions to the above mechanism may be employed if desired. Thus, continuous lengths of brush material may be drawn from spools and the handle members fed into slot 2'5 from a hopper. When employing a wire handle and retaining member of the type shown in Fig. 2 such member may be supplied with end portions 5 and 6 opened out to embrace the bundle of brush material, and such portions then bent thereabout to close the loop.

When using wire as the retaining member such Wire will ordinarily be galvanized or cadmium plated. Stampings will be similarly treated. In order to obtain maximum brush breadth the side portions of the retaining loop should be as thin as is consistent with strength and half round wire may be used, for example. The ferrule will, of course, add greatly to the strength of this portion of the brush.

The sleeve or ferrule may be formed from a short length of tubing, as indicated, but stampings may be employed at considerably less expense. Under certain circumstances and for certain uses such ferrule may be formed of a synthetic thermoplastic resin, for example, in which case means will be provided to heat die members 21 and 23. It will thus be seen that an all- 2-,;

plastic brush may be produced in which a molded plastic handle and retaining member is employed together with brush material such as nylon.

The brush material will be selected as desired,

and may consist of Tampico fibre, horsehair, straight or crimped wire, synthetic plastic strands, hog bristles, and the like. It will be noted, however, that the brush of this invention, whil inexpensive to produce, meets all of the requirements of a high quality brush and employment of high grades of brush material are therefore justified.

My new brush may be made of materials which are not affected by the usual solvents, for exam- F ple, since it is not necessary to seat the bristles in glue, cement, or rubber as is ordinarily done. Such rubber is, of course, deleteriously affected by gasoline, kerosene and the like. Due to the fact that the bristles are doubled about the retaining member they are arranged in two contacting layers which formation assists in retention of paint by the brush. The size and shape of the brush can obviously be varied over a wide range without departing from the principles of the invention.

Other modes of applying the principle of the invention may be employed, change being made as regards the details described, provided the features stated in any of the following claims or the equivalent of such be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention:

1. Mechanism for assembling a brush of the type described, comprising means adapted to support a sleeve or ferrule and a looped brush material retaining member therein, with such loop extending from one end of such ferrule to receive brush material therethrough and a handle portion extending from the other end of such d ferrule, means operative to engage such handle portion and thereby pull such loop into such ferrule, and die means reciprocable to compress such ferrule inwardly of such loop above such brush material doubled about such retaining member.

2. Mechanism for assembling a brush of the type described, comprising a table having a slot therein adapted to receive a sleeve or ferrule therein, means adapted to support such ferrule in such slot, means adapted to support a looped brush material retaining member passing through such ferrule with such loop extending therefrom above said table and a handle portion extending below, means operative to engage such handle portion and thereby pull such loop into such ferrule, and die means reciprocable to compress such ferrule inwardly of such loop above such brush material doubled about such retaining member.

3. A hand brush comprising a wire loop having a constricted neck with such wire continuing therefrom in spaced relation to form a handle portion, a portion of said loop being straight and normal to the direction of said handle portion and side portions of said loop contiguous to said straight portion also being straight but parallel to the direction of said handle portion, a flat layer of brush material doubled about said first straight intermediate portion but only partially filling said loop, and a flattened sheet metal sleeve closely enclosing said loop with the end portions of said doubled brush material protruding therefrom, said sleeve being deformed and compressed to bring the two opposed faces thereof together within said loop closely adjacent the region of doubling of said brush material to form a closed channel-shaped back in which said brush material is secured by said straight intermediate portion, such deformed portion of said sleeve also acting to prevent longitudinal shifting of said sleeve by engagement interiorly with the constricted neck portion of said loop, and said sleeve being indented on opposite sides closely below said intermediate straight portion of said loop about which said brush material is doubled to form a constricted neck in this region, with said sleeve continuing a substantial distance therebeyond to form a skirt defining a considerably greater transverse area than that defined by said latter constricted neck.

4. A hand brush comprising a wire loop having a constricted neck with such wire continuing therefrom in spaced relation to form a handle portion, a portion of said loop being straight and normal to the direction of said handle portion and side portions of said loop contiguous to said straight portion also being straight but parallel to the direction of said handle portion, a flat layer of brush material doubled about said first straight intermediate portion but only partially filling said loop, and a generally fiat-sided sleeve closely enclosing said loop with the end portions of said doubled brush material protruding therefrom, said sleeve being deformed and compressed to bring the two opposed faces thereof together within said loop closely adjacent the region of doubling of said brush material to form a closed channel-shaped back in which said brush material is secured by said straight intermediate portion, such deformed portion of said sleeve also acting to prevent longitudinal shifting of said sleeve by engagement interiorly with the constricted neck portion of said loop.

5. A hand brush comprising a wire loop havsag-Banana "ing az constrieted neck witinzsuohiwire continu- :ring therefromfim spacedcrelatioriito 01m: a; han- 11 dies portion, a; portion'iof :saidc-loop: being y straight and normalrtolthe direction'iof-fsaidzhandlevporutionaand side: portions .Ofisaidi loopacontiguousito said straight portion also being straighttibut-parsaid :sleeve acting tor-prevent lonrbrushi material .is: doubled to fomixaiconstricted neck inthis regiongwitlrssaidtsl'eeveicontinuing a substantial. riistancelthereheyond to form-a5 skirt defining, a. considerably/greater transverse area than-that defined byzsaid lattericonstricted -neck.

6. Abrush comprising abrush materialretaindng element formingta substantially closedtloop, alayeriof ,brushimaterialidoublecl 'abeut saidelemerit through said: loopi-butmnlyqoartially 1 filling v said loopsano; al-slee e enclosing. .said ioop in -the region of ;.cloubling ofcsaid brush? material with the endportions .of asaidi brush-material protrud- Hing therefrom, saidaisleevei beingacompre'ssedwo 2 5:; I bringi'npposite sides v thereof :into. contact within "131135001'1111163 'IOf said loop .closely to engage said xdo'ubled abrushxmaterial with the compressed eregion-Jextending sufiioiently laterally Within said -l'o'op .toeengage'theinner periphery of said loop and. prevent :shifting relative theretoi 7.:-:Mechanism1for assembling a brush of the itypevdescribed, comprising means adapted to support aisleeve or ferrule and a looped brush mate- 'Srial retaining member therein, with such loop aextendingfro'msuch ferrule to receive brush ma- ."terial'therethrough, means operative to reciparocatesuchaloop and ferrule relatively to each OtheI' t0 dlia;W suchi'loop and such brush mai terial doubled thereabout into such ferrule, die means1-mounted for reciprocation in a direction ixtransversely ofthe aforesaid reciprocation "to engage such ferrule after suchal'oop has thus been drawnl thereim aHdL tO :d'eform such :ferrule' ini war'clly 'ofisuehilo'op in the region closely adjacent 'such doubled ibrushi material, and! means operati-VGithLlSiO reciprocate said die vmeans.

-, JOHN'S. BENYAK.

I'Referenees Cited-in the file of this patent UNITED STATES 1 PATENTS Number Name Date 195,017 'Jesson "Sept. 11, 1877 "583,743 Fogarty -Oct.' 1, 1901 843,596 l'Foga'rty Feb. '12, 1907 ,,1,743,'3'1 TCave Jan. 14, 1930 12,314,306 T'Cave Mar. 16, 1943 

